Fixture hanger



Dec. 25, 1934. A, CHWW 'ER 1,985,582

FIXTURE HANGER Filed May 28, 1952 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES FIXTURE HANGER Abraham Schwinger, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Crescent Brass Mfg. 00., Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 28, 1932, Serial No. 614,260

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to fixture hangers and is more particularly directed toward fixture hangers designed for use in ceiling type lighting fixtures and body type fixtures.

Ceiling fixtures are generally secured to a threaded stud in an outlet box, or to a gas pipe or other supporting device. .The wiring for the fixture generally passes from the outlet box down through a loop or swivel joint. The outlet box, or opening in the ceiling, is closed by a canopy extending from a point just above the loop or swivel to the ceiling. Owing to the variations in the mounting height of the outlet box studs, the various styles of canopy employed, and the necessity of accommodating the wires, it is customary to employ some arrangement of hickey and extension. Extensions of various lengths are supplied to the electrician. These parts must be fitted for each installation, and this may necessitate a lowering of the fixture while an extension of the proper length is being located and secured in place.

The present invention contemplates a combined hickey and extension which is capable of adjustment through a wide range whereby the loop or swivel may be mounted as far below the celing as the deepest canopy in use would require, or whereby these parts may be mounted practically at the level of the ceiling. This adjustment is available in steps of small amount. According to the present invention, the fixture hanger has two main parts, one adapted to be secured to the outlet box stud or other support, while the other is secured to the suspended part of the fixture. These parts are provided with interfitting serrations arranged so that the parts fit together in a number of positions. One part is provided with vertical slots to slidably receive a fastening member, such as a screw, preferably threaded into a tapped hole in the other. In order to afiord a greater degree of adjustment than possible through the use of slots alone, the parts are preferably made such that the ends of the parts may be cut off by pliers or a hack saw and discarded.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawing shows, for purposes of illustrating the present invention, several embodiments in which the invention may take form, it being understood that the drawing is illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of a fixture hanger showing it extended to substantially the full extent;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the upper hanger part;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the same taken from the left of Fig. 1; r

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the lower hanger part, taken from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; i 1

Fig. 6 illustrates a slightly modified form of fixture hanger adjusted for close mounting; and

Fig. 7 illustrates the use of slightly modified parts for securing together the stampings or spinnings forming a fixture body.

-Fig. '1 shows a conventional crow foot at- 10 and a fixture loop at 11. The fixture hanger H is interposed between these elements. It is, however, understood that the hanger is suitable for use with outlet box studs, gas pipes, or other forms of support, and that the fixture may hang from a swivel, or in any other conventional manner.

The hanger H is composed of two L-shaped parts 12 and 13 and an interposed securing member such as a screw 14. The upper part 12 has a tapped head 15 to fit the stud or crow foot, and a depending shank 16. The shank has a plurality of regularly spaced serrations 17 extending across one face thereof, and a plurality of vertically extending slots 18, 18. The slots are closed by bridging members 19, 20, and 21, tapped as indicated at 19', 20, and 21. The lower hanger part 13 is similar to the upper hanger part. It has an externally threaded head 25 to fit the tapped hole in the loop 11, and an upstanding shank 26. The shank has serrations 27 similar to the serrations 17 and adapted to fit into the same. The shank 26 is slotted as indicated at 28, 28, and 28". The shank 26 has bridging members 29, 30, 31, and 32 which close the slots. The lower head 25 is provided with a wire way 33 so as to facilitate passing wires down through the loop 11.

The parts 11 and 12 are preferably made in the form of brass castings. They are easy to machine, rigid, and strong, support the load without bending, and yet one can easily cut off the ends of the shanks by a pair of pliers so as to shorten the shanks.

The parts 12 and 13 may be secured together by passing the screw 14 through a slot, as 28", and threading it into the tapped hole 19. If the screw is tightened up with the parts in the position indicated, the crow foot and loop are spaced as shown, and there is no possibility of slippage or twisting of the parts 12 and 13 relative to one another. When the screw is loosened, the loop may be lowered to the lower dotted position, but cannot fall away owing to the upper bridging member 32. The part 13 may also be swung about the screw as a pivot to facilitate passing wires about, making splices and the like. With the screw in the position shown, a number of adjustments of the loop may be had as long as the slot 28". If a closer adjustment is desired, the screw may be-placed in the next lower slot 28 and still use the same tapped hole 19', or the screw may be threaded into the tapped hole 20. Still closer adjustments are possible by selecting different slots and tapped holes until the end of the shank of one part abuts the head of the other part. If closer adjustment is desired, the shanks are shortened by cutting off the unnecessary length so as to avoidinterference. It will be noted that the arrangement of bridging members makes it possible to always have a closedslot through which topass the screw.

In 'orde'rthat there may always be a slot for the screw opposite a tapped hole, and prevent any adjustment, the slots 28, 28 and 28" are not made of the same spacing as the tapped holes. The arrangement shown in the drawing is one Way to stagger the bridging members to bring about this result.

-In-the form shown in Fig. 6, the outer face 40 of the upper member 41 is serrated and the inner face of the lower member 43 is serrated. The bars are cut short for close mounting. The lower member has an integral loop 44 and wire way 45. Insteadof tapping the holes for the screw 46, a nut 47 may be used if desired. Tapped holes are, however, preferred.

Fig. 7 illustrates the use of two members 50 and 51, having serrated faces as shown, and secured together by a screw 52 for the purpose of holding together the parts 53, 54, and 55 of a fixture body. The upper member 50 has a wire way 56 and is threaded into a loop 57, while the lower member 51 has a threaded head to receive a nut 58.

What is claimed is:

A fixture hanger comprising a unitary L-shaped bar having a tapped head to fit the stud of an outlet'box, and a depending shank provided with a plurality of serrations across one face thereof, a second unitary /L-shaped bar having serrations across one face adapted to interfit the serrations'on the other bar in a plurality of positions so that the heads of the bars may be spaced substantially twice the length of the serrated portions of the bars or any lesser amount down to the length of the bar, onelbar having vertically extending slots, the otherbar having holes opposite the slots, and a clamping screw extending through a slot in one bar and a hole in the other bar, the ends of the shanks of the bars being readily severable so as not .to interfere with the heads'of the bar when making a closer adjustment, the screw receiving holes and slots being spaced so that sliding adjustment is available when the screw is loosened and so that the serrations may be clamped in interfitting relation in regular steps according to the spacing of the serrations.

ABRAHAM SCHW'INGER- 

